Ravens rookie Q&A: outside linebacker John Simon

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Matt Vensel

Each week, Baltimore Sun blogger and reporter Matt Vensel will fire a few questions at a random Ravens rookie. This week it was fourth-round pick John Simon, an outside linebacker and special teams player from Ohio State.

MV: You made your NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. You only played on special teams. But how do you think it went?

JS: Yes, sir. It went well. It was exciting to be out there for the first time. Special teams went pretty well that day. We had some nice punt returns and things of those sorts. It was just an exciting time. Hopefully I can build on that game and hopefully get better.

MV: When was the last time that you were a regular on special teams? I’m sure you did it your first couple of years at Ohio State. Did you do it in your final years there as well?

JS: I did play special teams quite a bit at Ohio State, so I had some experience coming in. But we have different schemes and things like that here. I’m just trying to embrace that role and do everything I can to help the team, and I’m going to continue to do that.

MV: There are some pretty talented guys ahead of you on the depth chart in Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Do you think it’s kind of a nice blessing that although you might not be able to play right away, you are able to learn from guys like that?

JS: They’ve taught me a lot already. Just watching what they do, they’re truly professionals. Everyone in our meeting room is. Just to learn from the best is truly a blessing for me and I’m just trying to take in everything that they say and make sure that I’m learning and improving every day.

MV: Why did your change your jersey number from 47 to 94?

JS: I don’t think linebackers can be in the 40s, so I didn’t have much of a choice. But I like number 94. I think it looks good.